The True Meaning of Christmas

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” Hmm... Maybe. This quote explains what many people claim to believe today. Several Americans portray themselves as understanding the true meaning of Christmas, but as the cartoon represents, the actual meaning of Christmas continues to be forgotten each year. I agree with the view of Christmas presented by this picture. Although people try to convince themselves that Christmas is much more than a holiday of giving and receiving presents, they still become consumed with the many preparations and other things to go along with December twenty-fifth, without stopping to think of what the day is really about. When do you ever see a sign or advertisement proclaiming the birth of Jesus Christ? Instead, during this time of year, every commercial, every window sign, billboard, or coupon and magazine received in the mail proclaims the “best gift ideas” and informs us on where the “biggest sales” will be taking place. During this time, it is not made clear that Jesus was God’s ultimate gift to the world, given to us graciously and willingly at the expense of our sins.
The image of the Christmas shopper stresses the point that the importance of Christmas is soon forgotten around this time of year. Although it is clearly portrayed in the message on the screen that Christmas is about more than presents, the woman’s first thought is to purchase a gift with the phrase included on it. Hypocritical much? It seems that she is oblivious to what the quote means, and sees it simply as an idea for more presents; exactly what Christmas should be least about. The fact that her arms are filled with additional gifts only helps more in showing her lack of understanding of what the quote is talking about. Another visual that goes along with the main point is the whole appearance of the salesman behind the counter. His expression looks as if he can care less about what he is doing. In the Christmas season, shouldn’t an employee at least attempt to be in the Christmas spirit? He appears unhappy, unenthused, and unfriendly. This helps by once again, displaying nothing of the sort of what Christmas should be about.